Plane for aircraft



J. F. BRIDE.

PLANE FOR AIRCRAFT.

APPLICATJON FILED APR. 6. 1921.

1,406,928. Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

W/T/VESSES INVENTOR EBPIC E kw QJ/ ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES JOHN FRANCIS BEIGE, OF BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

PLANE FOR AIRCRAFT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

Application filed April 6, 1921. Serial No. 458.926.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN FRANCIS Baron, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the township of Bensalem, in the county of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved -Plane for Aircraft, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a flying machine, and aims to provide certain new and useful improvements in connection with aerofoils.

In connection with aircraft utilizing lifting surfaces commonly termed aerofoils it is a well appreciated fact that the maximum of theoretical efficiency which a lifting surface should be capable of exerting is not produced thereby.

Although this defect is particularly noticeable in connection with the wings, ailerons and lifting lanes of an airplane, it is also to be found in those surfaces acting as lifting planes, which are associated with dirigibles.

Also the blades of the propeller or screw utilized in all types of flying machines have failed to produce the amount of traction or push of which they are theoretically capable.

With regard to the supporting surfaces, etc., numerous designers have attempted to increase the efliciency of the lifting surfaces by providing structure permitting of the camber of these surfaces being varied so that the wings, etc., might have their bodies disposed in certain planes upon the machine taking off, and subsequent to this taking off allow the camber to be varied to reduce head resistance, although not sacrificing the lifting qualities of the supporting surface.

Although certain improved results have been noticeable in utilizing this expedient, the machine as a whole, has fallen far short of its theoretical possibilities, and perhaps the most eflicient structure of this type suggested has been that in which the aerofoils consist of a plurality of units co-operating with each other, to provide one element, the operation of which unit may be varied by the movement of the individual elements.

With this in view I have constructed certain improvements in connection with flying machines, and more particularly those portions of the same which are commonly termed aerofoils, which class includes lift-- iiig surfaces, ailerons, elevating planes, air screws, etc., and by means of which the ethciency of any unit falllng within this class will be greatly increased, in that primarily, the head resistance offered by the leading edge of each of the units specified will not be increased in ratio to the speed of the air currents to the extent that-this now occurs.

Thus a flying machine utilizing my improved construction will be capable of a far greater amount of speed with the same engine power, without in the slightest efiect- 1ng its lifting qualities.

A further object of my invention is the construction of a device of the character stated in which a given area will exert a far greater amount of lift than has heretofore been possible.

St ll other objects of my invention are the provision of ailerons of such a construction that a machine equipped with the same may be more readily responsive and more nearly approach the theoretical possibilities of which it is capable.

Reference is had to the annexed specification taken in connection with the drawings, which latter present practical embodiments of my invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side edge view showing one type of aileron.

Figure 2 is a similar view embodying my improved construction as applied to a second type of aileron, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view of still a different form of surface.

It is to be noted that each of these views illustrates my invention diagrammatically, but it will be noted that the same incorporates the principles involved.

Reference being had to Figure 1 it will be noted that an aerofoil is shown, which aerofoil as in the initial construction of units of this character, presents a substantially flat upper surface 5, but contrary to the conventional construction, has its lower surface 6 bulged or convex. Also in Figure 2, it will be noted that the lower surface of the aerofoils is similarly formed, but the upper surface 7 in this instance is hollowed or concave.

Finally with respect to the structure illustrated in Figure 3, it will be noted that a lifting element is provided, which includes a plurality of separate aerofoils 8, having their lower surface curved, and having spaces 9 existing between the aerofoils, so that the" passage of air currents is permitted downwardly between the aerofoils.

I believe that aerofoils constructed in acout in the least departin from the spirit of my invention, which I c aim as:

A device of the class described including a plurality of separate aerofoils arranged in tandem, and secured together to provide a 15 single element, said element presentin openin s between said aerofoils, each of sai aerofoi s presenting a convex under surface, and a non-convex upper surface.

JOHN FRANCIS BRICE. 

